Marc Ivan Manalac, a third-year computer engineering student, and three other college students in the
U.S., created a plan for a long-range outdoor fire detecting system in just two weeks.
Manalac’s team was one of 10 finalists out of more than 450 entries in the “Beat the Blaze” competition hosted by the National Security Innovation Network (
NSIN). Although his team did not win one of the three $15,000 top prizes, Manalac still hopes to apply for other funding opportunities to further develop the technology for use in Hawaiʻi.
Tech to combat wildfires
Wildfires are common in the
U.S., including Hawaiʻi, especially during the summer months in dry brush areas exposed to strong winds. The competition challenged participants to increase the information sharing capacity and capabilities between the National Guard and emergency response agencies during wildfire operations.